Ref: 45/03
Date: 22 July 2003

The minimum level of telecoms services that BT and, in the Hull area, Kingston must provide to all customers on reasonable demand has been set out today by Oftel.

This includes guidelines which set out a new benchmark connection speed of 28.8kbit/s for narrowband dial-up Internet access, as well as the circumstances under which Oftel will expect BT and Kingston to take action where a customer complains of slow connection speeds.

The minimum standards are contained in a notification published today by Oftel, under the Universal Service Directive, and come into force on 25 July.

Under the notification, BT and Kingston will also have to:

– meet all reasonable requests for the installation of a telephone line, with all telephony services priced uniformly, irrespective of geographic location;

– provide special reduced rate telephony packages for consumers who are on low incomes; and

– provide a network of public call boxes that the public have access to at all times.

Under the current regulatory framework, BT and Kingston have to provide universal service, and Oftel has decided that this obligation should continue under the new regime.

David Edmonds, Director General of Telecommunications said today:

"Telecoms services provide an essential social and economic role, so it is important that all consumers have access to a minimum level of telecoms services, whatever their location and personal circumstances.

"This obligation to provide a universal service includes installation of a phone line on reasonable demand, uniform prices irrespective of geographic location, and access to a network of public payphones.

"Under new EC legislation, universal service now requires the provision upon reasonable request of a narrowband connection capable of 'functional Internet access'.

"This term has not been defined in the Directive. However, because of the growing importance of the Internet, Oftel has taken a major step forward in setting a benchmark connection speed of 28.8 kbit/s.

"This is significantly faster than the previous requirement of only 2.4 kbit/s and will lead to real improvements in connection speeds for many consumers."

Oftel has also today published the new general conditions of entitlement under the Communications Act to take effect from 25 July, and replace the current licensing system. The conditions set out the type and level of service that all telecoms providers must offer, including the publication of transparent consumer information, disconnection procedures and minimum contract terms.

Notes to Editors

1. Oftel's statement Designation of BT and Kingston as universal service providers, and the specific universal service conditions and General conditions of entitlement are available on the Oftel website at www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/eu_directives/2003/uso0703.pdf and www.oftel.gov.uk/publications/eu_directives/2003/cond_final0703.pdf respectively. Hard copies are available to the media from the Press Office on 020 7634 8991 and to the public from the Research and Information Unit on 020 7634 8761.